After a two-week trial, the jury found that Johnson, now 60, co-owns the copyright for the show and was owed millions in profits.

"It was my idea, and I owned the rights in the first place," Johnson said in a statement. "From the beginning, I have asked only that Rysher honor our contract, and I am so pleased that the jury agreed with me."

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"We're disappointed in the verdict and we'll appeal," Rysher's attorney, Bart H. Williams told The Associated Press. "We respect the jury's decision and we think there are a lot of pretty significant appellate issues."

An attorney for 2929 Entertainment, which was founded by Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner, did not immediately return phone messages seeking comment.

Rysher Entertainment contended during the trial that the show, which ran for six seasons on CBS, lost money.